NFL players to help promote Heads Up program

AP , Associated Press

Jul. 31, 201310:01 AM ET

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NFL will use its preseason games to promote the youth safety program Heads Up Football.

USA Football will announce Wednesday that NFL players will wear helmet stickers in support of the program this preseason. Fans also will notice on-field stencils and banners in the end zones, beginning with the Aug. 4 Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. NFL teams will hold youth football scrimmage games before kickoff or at halftime and will donate about 150,000 preseason tickets to players in leagues that use the program.

More than 2,700 football leagues in 50 states have signed up this year.

Coaches can receive certification by completing the online education curriculum, which covers football fundamentals, positive coaching, practice planning and player safety, including concussion awareness, player hydration and proper equipment fitting.